The outgoing head of Tobago police ACP William Nurse has told Newsday there are 20 gangs spread across Tobago.

In an interview at Divisional Headquarters, Riverside Plaza, Pot of Spain, on Tuesday morning, Nurse listed gang violence as one of his biggest challenges during his year as head of the Tobago Division.

“There is an area in Tobago that goes unsuspected of producing criminals. And about 70 per cent of Tobago's most notorious criminals live in that area. That is Golden Lane, Les Coteaux and those places.

“Our intelligence suggests that Les Coteaux accounts for the largest percentage of Tobago's most notorious criminals.”

He said a report published by the intelligence unit shows there are other smaller gangs in Lambeau and one in Government House Road.

Most Tobago gangs operate where it is lucrative, he said, and: “They operate in a place where they could be unsuspected

“Such a little island and it's something of note. I would love to see specific steps taken to uproot them, find them wherever they are, and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.

“That is one thing I want to call upon the intelligence apparatus within the police service to pay some more attention to – Tobago.”

Nurse said he had done all in his power to reduce gang violence and was satisfied with the progress he made in tackling gangs and gang-related violence.

Some of his efforts included increasing police patrols, community outreach and working closely with Tobago stakeholders to identify and breach criminal strongholds.

“I am very pleased. I don't think I have any regrets and I would not have done anything differently from the way we did it in Tobago.

“Tobago, I think, is a better place than when I met it. That is important. It’s a much better policing outfit than when I got there.”

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